What the Changes to China's Travel Advisory Really Mean

On Thursday, the U.S. State Department updated its travel advisory to China, urging Americans to “exercise increased caution in China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws as well as special restrictions on dual U.S.-Chinese nationals." Specifically, the advisory references “exit bans,” which Chinese authorities use to bar a person from leaving the country. The travel advisory is actually nothing new—in fact, it's a renewal of a similar warning issued on January 22 of last year, reports The New York Times. But why has it been updated, and what does this mean for travelers? We dive in.

First things first: How does this affect my travel to the country?

It shouldn't, really, though you'll want to take more precautions where suggested. The level of the advisory hasn't changed, just the details in it. As always, take steps to prepare for your trip by reading up on your destination and filling out a traveler checklist before you take off.

You mentioned a "level" of travel advisory. So, what is China's?

For a year, it's been at a Level 2 out of 4, which states travelers should "exercise increased caution" when in the country. For perspective, the U.S. has also given Level 2 warnings to the United Kingdom, Spain, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, citing the risk of terrorism for those rankings. Antarctica even has a Level 2 "due to environmental hazards posed by extreme and unpredictable weather." China's Level 2, meanwhile, stems from fears that it may arbitrarily enforce local laws and detain U.S. citizens—more on that later.

The next, more serious warnings, are Level 3 (which suggests U.S. citizens "Reconsider travel" to the country) and Level 4, which stipulates "Do not travel." (Note: China's updated travel advisory does not apply to the autonomous territory of Hong Kong, which has a Level 1 warning, suggesting travelers "exercise normal precautions.") You can read more about the travel advisory system here.

What do travel specialists say about this?

"I read the travel advisory in detail, and don’t think it’s anything for our guests to worry about," says WildChina founder and CEO Mei Zhang. "First of all, we have not heard a single case of trouble exiting China among all WildChina clients, as well as clients of my counterparts in the travel trade. Secondly, the travel warning seems to be specifically targeting those with deep business and political ties with China."

I'd like to know more about what's changed in the travel advisory. What can you tell me?

The travel advisory now notes that exit bans are used "to lure individuals back to China from abroad," something that was not mentioned when the warning was issued in 2018, reports CNBC. (This appears to reference the case of an American family barred from leaving China because of their ties to a businessman accused of participation in a fraud case; more information can be found here.) The advisory also follows high-profile December cases in which two Canadian businessmen, Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, were detained for unspecified reasons, reports Reuters. Both Kovrig and Spavor remain in detention in China and are awaiting trial, with the U.S. and Canada calling for their release.

The updated advisory also warns of increased police presence in certain regions, stating, "Extra security measures, such as security checks and increased levels of police presence, are common in the Xinjiang Uighur and Tibet Autonomous Regions. Authorities may impose curfews and travel restrictions on short notice." The Xinjiang Uighur region in northwest China is home to the Turkic-speaking Muslim Uighur minority, and though they disputed an August 2018 report from the UN that they were holding people in counter-extremism centers, China has acknowledged that it has resettled some of its "religious extremist" Uighurs, reports the BBC. And in April 2018, the U.S. State Department noted China's “severe” repression in Tibet, including arbitrary detention, censorship, and travel restrictions, reports Bloomberg.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said on Friday that the advisory “cannot stand up to scrutiny,” telling the Associated Press that 2.3 million Americans visited China between January and November 2018. “I think this figure speaks volumes for the security condition in China,” Lu said.

Lu did not comment on the detainees in China, but in December, said regarding Kovrig and Spavor, “I can tell you that their legitimate rights and interests have been safeguarded," reports the Washington Post.

I have a trip to China planned. How should I prepare?

According to the State Department, you should:

Enter China on your U.S. passport with a valid Chinese visa and keep
it with you.

If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to
notify the U.S. Embassy or the nearest consulate immediately. (Here's the page for the U.S. embassy in Beijing, and for the U.S. consulate in Shanghai.)

If you plan to enter North Korea, read the North Korea travel
advisory. (For reference, North Korea's travel advisory is at a Level 4—"Do not travel.")

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive
Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. (We've got a handy guide to signing up here.)